By late summer, after months of inactivity and uncertainty, the University of Birmingham’s Ballroom and Latin American Dance Society (BALADS) at last had a reason to be optimistic.

The 2020/21 academic year was on the horizon, and the society had been given the chance to feature on campus during Welcome Week, an offer they gratefully accepted.

In a vacuum, the opportunity was nothing extraordinary. BALADS have regularly performed at open days and Freshers Fairs in the past, as part of their annual hunt for new members.

Little can be taken for granted during the COVID-19 pandemic, though, particularly for a society so dependent on close-contact. Earning permission to perform on campus was priceless for BALADS.

However, it proved too good to be true when, just before Welcome Week, the society was informed by UoB Student Services that the event could not go ahead. Days earlier, they had received an email from the Guild of Students requesting information about their planned demonstrations and, although publicity officer Richard Horridge replied swiftly, plans to perform were scrapped.

Initially, the news was as confusing as it was disheartening for the club. Dance studios are mostly open around the country, with strict safety measures allowing it to return.

Initially, the news was as confusing as it was disheartening for the club

Student Services cited the Guild’s student groups guidance to explain why the performance had to be cancelled. Though advice has now changed to remain in line with the increasing government regulations in Birmingham, the document at the time stated that societies are permitted to involve up to six different households in outdoor demonstrations (as long as social distancing is maintained), a measure that BALADS’s original plan adhered to. It appeared that rules that initially once gave them permission to perform were now an obstacle.

Speaking to Redbrick on behalf of the Guild, Activities and Employability Officer Amie Raphael said that ‘the university had planned to hold student activities on campus, to showcase the very best of our student groups.

‘Unfortunately, it soon became apparent that due to enhanced health and safety practices introduced following COVID, all physical student-led activities on campus had to be cancelled.’

So, why the sudden change? Horridge suspects the answer lies just below the household rule in the student groups guidance from the time. Under the heading ‘sport and fitness’, the document states: ‘if your group provides a sporting/fitness activity[…]and you usually have a booking within a sporting venue you may be able to deliver some in-person activity.’

‘We’re a society, not a sport,’ Horridge explains to Redbrick. ‘We hold all of our events in the Guild, so it makes me wonder whether this was the reason why they said no.’

Several sports clubs held taster sessions with no more distancing than BALADS would have had, indicating that there are different rules for different groups.

Yet, this disparity can be justified. The society is not affiliated with UB Sport, making it arguable that they are not entitled to the same treatment. Nationally, outdoor sport can still go ahead provided it is ‘organised’ and, while BALADS is an established society that competes nationally, not being an official sports club moves them into a grey area.

BALADS plays a sport but is not a sports club; a paradox which is the root of their recent issues, and perhaps a warning of what is to come. With the U.K’s coronavirus numbers trending in the wrong direction, the society’s nuanced identity could be a huge problem this year.

The big issue we have as a club is that we need a lot of space to do our activity

‘We have been doing our best to attract new members but the mood among committee members is generally pessimistic,’ admits Horridge. ‘The big issue we have as a club is that we need a lot of space to do our activity.’

With access to the Guild set to be limited, holding in-person activities could prove a tough task, with Horridge adding: ‘we are dependent on room bookings within the Guild to deliver our normal activities.’

Even before the pandemic, BALADS ‘always had issues booking rooms,’ with other societies that require the space using the facilities. ‘Everyone’s competing for the same space in the Guild, and everyone has a claim and right to use that space. We’ve been in classrooms, lecture theatres with carpeted floors in the past, which is not ideal.’

Room in the Guild is set to become even more exclusive with so many safety measures in place, meaning BALADS are just one of many performing societies who may not have a place to practice.

In response, Raphael said the Guild is ‘assessing all activity proposals in line with the [Student Groups] Activities Guidance.

‘For some groups, such as BALADS, we realise this [holding virtual sessions] is more difficult due to the nature of their activities and we are continuing to work with these groups to find a safe solution.’

One option is for BALADS to become part of UB Sport and earn access to their facilities. They do compete in national competitions, and equivalent societies at institutions such as the University of Cardiff are official sports clubs. However, Horridge is wary that this could have a negative effect that stretches beyond the pandemic.

To affiliate with UB Sport, it is a lot more [money] a year

‘To affiliate with UB Sport, it is a lot more [money] a year. While there are plenty of people in the club who would be very keen for it to be a sport, the issue we’ve had in the past as a committee has been that it would increase the barrier to entry and make it more about the competitive side than the social side.’

This could lead to the society losing attraction for beginners, something which Horridge is not willing to sacrifice, even during such testing times.

‘That’s one of the things we may lose if the barrier of entry becomes higher. Only a quarter of our members ever compete over a given year, and I think it is nice to be able to offer a rich social dancing experience. 

‘But of course, at the moment, that’s one of the things that’s really hard to deliver online.’

Before the pandemic, BALADS were able to thrive without being an official sports club. They could take part in competitions and welcome newcomers, all at a fraction of the price.

It appears that the balancing act is now a step too far for the society. They can have a consistent place to practice, or they can attract plenty of new members with their relaxed environment and low cost, but not both.

They cannot be blamed for failing to plan for the worst global crisis in generations, but even the most minor structural flaws get exposed in the age of COVID.

Fortunately for BALADS, the Guild may permit them to do some in-person teaching in line with national guidance, though this no easy task.

‘Our Activities Guidance has been developed from, and in-line with, current Government COVID-secure guidance to ensure that any student group activity is first and foremost both safe for our students and legal,’ Raphael said.

‘This guidance is being reviewed regularly, in accordance with both the guidelines from the Government and Birmingham’s own local COVID restrictions.’

With this policy understandably in place, it will certainly be an unusual year for BALADS. ‘Sadly, it’s not going to be the same experience for our beginners,’ concedes Horridge. ‘Some of us [are] very pessimistic about the outlook.’

Nevertheless, in spite of its unfortunate position as a sporting society, BALADS is determined to keep dancing. The club held charity events and virtual socials to keep in touch with members over the summer, and is hopeful that they will be granted permission to practice in-person.

Kerry Dennehy, BALADS’s Latin Coach, told Redbrick that she is hopeful that they can move beyond virtual sessions soon. ‘As long as you are aware of [the] square footage of your venue, you can calculate how many people you can have in a room.

‘As long as they are not dancing vigorously around the room in a group, you can conduct group classes by keeping people in their safe spaces.

The capacity to dance in groups is possible if you follow the safety guidelines

‘The capacity to dance in groups is possible if you follow the safety guidelines.’

Horridge is also not losing hope, saying ‘we will do what we can to teach people how to dance,’ with plans to hold solo dance sessions in place if necessary. The society received a good response from recent taster sessions and performed on the Guild’s Twitch channel during Welcome Week. 

After everything that has been thrown at them, the society’s ability to attract new members is something that they can be proud of. ‘We are getting a good amount of interest in the society at present and we hope to continue that throughout the year,’ says Horridge.

‘We will welcome anyone who would like to give dance a go, no matter what your experience!’

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